Back at I/O '17, Google announced that Volvo and Audi would be the first manufacturers to introduce a standalone, more deeply integrated version of Android Auto. One year later, at I/O '18, Google actually showed off several cars with prototypes of what it now called "Android Automotive." Now that Volvo has revealed that its all-electric Polestar 2 will be the first car with Android Automotive onboard, we finally have a more concrete arrival date for Google's long-awaited infotainment system.

Polestar's press release calls the new system "Google Android HMI," though the functionality mentioned sounds exactly like what the Android Automotive demos from last year's Google I/O offered. The system should include a large, vertically-mounted touchscreen (which current Volvos already have), Google Maps and the Play Store built-in, and an Assistant button on the steering wheel to trigger voice commands.

The interior of a current Volvo, the 2019 S60, for reference.

For those unfamiliar with the Polestar 2, it's an upcoming all-electric mid-size car from Volvo that aims to compete toe-to-toe with Tesla's Model 3. Details were pretty sparse prior to yesterday's announcement — the photo above is the only one we've seen of the car — but we now know that it'll be a four-door fastback with ~400 horsepower and ~300 miles of range. The car will start at around €40,000 (~$45,600), with a Care by Volvo-type subscription plan available.

Press Release

Polestar 2

Please find attached and below the first image of the Polestar 2, the second production vehicle from Volvo’s electric performance brand and the company’s first fully-electric model. The car will go into production shortly after the long-range hybrid Polestar 1, which will enter production later this year.

The Polestar 2 will be fully revealed in the coming weeks, but here are some initial specs and information:

First full BEV from Polestar and the Volvo Car Group
~300 miles of range (all final specs to be announced shortly)
~400 HP (all final specs to be announced shortly)
Four-door “fastback” body type
World debut of the new Google Android HMI, which in turn is also the debut of the in-car version of Google Assistant
Will be sold in the Tesla Model 3 price range
Available on subscription, which will be a slightly more premium version of our sister brand’s Care by Volvo package, although we will honor/take cash sales